Letter: Everyone deserves to have health coverage

Comment

Rockford Register Star

Writer

Posted Aug. 22, 2014 at 6:00 PM

Posted Aug. 22, 2014 at 6:00 PM

Thank you for publishing your Aug. 16 article, “Rockford-area patients, providers navigate new health insurance system.” I volunteer in Rockford for an organization called Get Covered America, and we work to maximize the number of uninsured enrolling in the health insurance marketplace and also educate uninsured consumers about the financial help and in-person assistance that’s available to them.

I’ve seen firsthand the difference that quality, affordable health coverage can make in the lives of Illinoisans and their families and it makes me happy to read about how pleased John Mitchell is with his new coverage. It’s also a joy to see people’s reactions when they find out they qualify for the health insurance marketplace’s special enrollment period, which allows people with certain life events — including moving to a new county, getting married or having a baby — to enroll immediately.

It’s important that we continue to bring attention to our new health insurance system as we head toward the second open enrollment period that begins Nov. 15. Everyone deserves to have health coverage.